The Lagos State Government has honoured 506 officers of the Unified Local Government Service for their long and meritorious years of service, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commending them for their contributions to the development of the state.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, spoke at the 2026 Long Service Merit Award ceremony organised by the Office of Local Government Establishments and Training at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.

The governor said public service should not be measured merely by the number of years spent in office, but by the quality of service rendered to citizens.

He said: “We should be proud and happy that God has placed you in positions where you have added value. Some of you have served for more than 30 years.

‘It is a career of service, showing up through changes in leadership, technological changes, and changes in the demographic shape of the communities that we serve.

“Through all of this, you stayed, you moved around, and you served the people.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu assured the awardees that the state government would continue to appreciate their contributions, adding: “This government will stand by you, and the community will stand by you.”

He also urged younger officers to emulate the discipline, consistency and commitment demonstrated by the senior officers.

“For the young ones just starting out, I think we should look closely at the people sitting here today. Their careers offer something no classroom can teach: the value of consistency, discipline, and integrity,” he said.

He urged them to help build a public service that would provide citizens with faster, more transparent, decentralised and responsive governance.

The Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, said the state government would continue to recognise and celebrate officers who had devoted a significant part of their lives to serving humanity.

Agoro said the 506 awardees comprised 492 senior officers and 14 junior officers, urging them to remain committed to the ideals for which they were honoured.

He charged them to continue upholding the highest standards of responsibility, commitment to duty and loyalty.

In her address, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Local Government Establishments and Training, Toyin Ogunlana, said the Long Service Merit Award was instituted to recognise officers whose careers had been defined by loyalty, discipline and commitment to public service.

She said the initiative was also designed to celebrate the values required to sustain an effective and responsive public service, including integrity, diligence, accountability and excellence.

Some of the awardees expressed appreciation to the state government for allowing them to serve.

Mosunmola Otaiku, Council Manager, Kosofe Local Government, described her years in the Lagos State local government service as a pleasant experience.

She advised younger officers to remain committed and active in the discharge of their duties.

“It has been a pleasant experience working in Lagos State local government. My advice to other junior officers is to be committed and active. I have tried my best,” she said.

Similarly, the Council Manager, Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area, Joseph Oladeji, urged younger officers to be punctual and disciplined.

“The government is always there to give incentives to workers as and when due. Others coming behind should be dedicated to their work,” he said.

Please follow and like us: